If you’re looking into how to become a patient care technician (PCT), you may already know that choosing the right training program is the best way to set yourself up for success. Job opportunities for patient care technicians are on the rise, but that also means new programs are popping up all the time.
The best training programs for potential PCTs are affordably priced, effective at preparing students to get certified and start working, and flexible enough to suit any lifestyle. Stepful’s PCT program takes only eight weeks to complete, works with your schedule, and helps you find full-time employment after graduation.
Read on to learn more about some of the cheapest PCT programs available and how to make the right choice for your future career.
Cheapest Medical Assistant Programs
Before we dive into specific programs, let’s go over a few major differentiators that’ll help you narrow down your options:
- Outcome: Longer programs might award a degree when you complete them, while others aim to prep you for certification.
- Setting: In-person programs tend to be more expensive and less flexible than online courses.
- Job opportunities: Some programs offer access to exclusive listings, employer partnerships, or career coaching, while others expect you to navigate the job market on your own.
Keep these factors and your preferences in mind as you learn more about your PCT program options.
1. Stepful’s Online PCT Program
Here’s how our very own patient care technician program stacks up against the options we’ll discuss below:
- Cost: Varies (grants available, apply to see what you qualify for)
- Curriculum: Activities of daily living, vitals, medical records, infection control, phlebotomy, EKG, and more
- Location: Online, with live instructors
- Type: Certificate (prepares you to earn Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant certification from the National Healthcareer Association)
- Length: 8 weeks
- Accreditation: Partnership with NHA
- Notes: Unlike many PCT programs, Stepful includes live instructors, career coaching, and job placement help in the cost of tuition.
2. US Career Institute
- Cost: $979
- Curriculum: Medical terminology and anatomy, essential clinical skills, interactive virtual labs
- Location: Online and self-paced
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 5 months
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
3. St. Louis Community College
- Cost: $125 per credit
- Curriculum: Vital signs, patient hygiene, mobility assistance, and team communication
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 11 weeks
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
4. Salt Lake Tech
- Cost: $2,750
- Curriculum: Medical terminology, problem-solving skills, team coordination
- Location: Online
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: None
5. Stonecrest Health
- Cost: $450
- Curriculum: Patient monitoring, ECGs, phlebotomy, HIPAA, OSHA
- Location: Online
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 6 weeks
- Accreditation: None
6. University of Florida
- Cost: $349
- Curriculum: Telehealth and remote patient monitoring
- Location: Online
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 6 months
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
7. Texas State University
- Cost: $1,624
- Curriculum: Patient care fundamentals, healthcare laws, infection prevention, and medical terminology
- Location: Online
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 6 months
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
8. Howard Community College
- Cost: $1,335
- Curriculum: Phlebotomy, EKGs, glucose checks, IV therapy, wound treatment, and catheter care
- Location: Columbia, MD
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 2 months
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
9. Jefferson Community College SUNY
- Cost: $2,795
- Curriculum:
- Location: Online
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
10. CT State Community College
- Cost: $2,525–$4,724
- Curriculum: Developing clinical skills, understanding patient care responsibilities, and promoting safety in healthcare settings
- Location: Various campuses in Connecticut
- Type: Certificate
- Length: 4-12 months
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
How to Choose a PCT Program
Now that you have a better understanding of your options, let’s talk about how to choose the best program for your needs. Your decision will likely hinge on these major factors:
- Lifestyle considerations: Depending on your particular circumstances, you might not be willing or able to pick up and move to attend courses, making online programs your best bet.
- Live vs. self-paced: Some programs allow you to handle coursework on your own time, while others offer live instruction from credible teachers. Live classes, like those offered by Stepful, tend to produce a much higher certification exam pass rate for students.
- Target salary: If you’re hoping to maximize your future earning potential, you may want to give preference to programs that confer degrees or certifications over those that only teach skills.
- Long-term career goals: Some people take patient care technician courses as part of a path to becoming a nurse or other type of clinician. Look out for courses that include additional skills if you’re hoping to set yourself up for future career growth.
Still on the fence? Don’t forget that Stepful’s patient care technician program includes everything you need to know to get certified by the NHA without ever having to attend an in-person class. Plus, at just eight weeks, it’s one of your fastest paths to launching your new healthcare career.
